Category: news

Published: 18 March 2024

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OMBUDSMAN ENGAGES THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

In a bid to strengthen the good working relationship that has existed between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Anti- Corruption Commission, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Commissioner of ACC Mr. Augustine Foday Gobie and his Management Team at their Offices at Tower Hill.

The Ombudsman explained his mandate and functions as stated in the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 and the Ombudsman’s Act of 1997. He stated that the relationship between the two Institutions has cemented with an MOU which was signed some years ago and that the spirit and the intent of that MOU will continue to strengthen administrative justice. He further explained the methods and processes used in handling complaints. He told the Deputy Commissioner that staff of his Institution face hostilities and other forms of attack as some Heads of Institutions see them as intruders into their administrative actions. He stated that his office works to ensure that the institutions work in accordance with their service charters.

He further stated that his office is raising awareness to ensure that the working environment is conducive for all who are working in MDAs. He further revealed that one of the most annoying issue is that most public officials do not reply to correspondences is considered as maladministration under the Ombudsman’s Act. Thanking the Ombudsman and Team, the Deputy Commissioner ACC, Augustine Foday Gobie, noted that the Ombudsman’s Office needs to raise more awareness on their mandate and functions to people in the regions as they sometimes receive reports about administrative injustices to the ACC. He noted that the ACC has also been facing similar issues from members of the public but because they have prosecutorial powers, people have been complying with them. He told the Ombudsman that the relationship between the two Institutions was indeed strengthened by the signing of the MOU and further noted that the two Institutions will continue with the collaboration and good working relationship.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

Category: news

Published: 18 March 2024

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OMBUDSMAN PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SIERRA LEONE

The Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq has paid a courtesy visit to the German Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jens Kraus-Massé at his office at Hill Station.

The Ombudsman said the Ombudsman' Office was created by the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 and it's enabling Act which is the Ombudsman's Act of 1997 which spells out it's mandate and functions. He further stated that the mandate of the office is to investigate any administrative action taken or omitted to be taken by or on behalf of a Public Entity /Official and has caused a member of the public to suffer injustice as a result of maladministration.

He told the Ambassador that the office looks into the administrative action of prescribed Authorities which includes the Police, Military, the Correctional Services and the Fire Force.

He stated that the Office uses the Alternative Dispute Redress Mechanisms which are negotiations, mediation and conciliation in addressing complaints that are brought to his Office. He stated that his Office is seeking funding to ensure that the work of solving disputes reach to citizens in unreached towns and chiefdoms in the Country.

Responding, the German Ambassador Jens Kraus-Massé thanked the Ombudsman and Team for the visit and stated that Germany has been a long standing partner of Sierra Leone. He noted that the work of the Ombudsman is essential for the growth of administrative accountability in Sierra Leone. He told the Ombudsman that the embassy does not currently have a budget for administrative accountability, but will look into his portfolio to see under what category the Ombudsman's Office will fit. He pledged the embassy's continued working relationship with the Ombudsman's Office.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076945926

Category: news

Published: 20 March 2024

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PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS PAYS FAMILIARIZATION VISIT TO THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

In fulfillment of its function the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has paid a familiarization visit to the Office of the Ombudsman. The 9 man Committee was led by the Chairman, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara.
The Team met with the Ombudsman and his Management Team.

The Chairman noted that the Committee is familiarizing with the Ombudsman's Office to be up-to-date on the issues and challenges faced by the Office. He further stated that the Committee will be providing the necessary oversight to ensure that the work of the Ombudsman impact on the Civil/ Public Service.

Making a statement the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq, thanked the Committee for the visit. He noted that the Office is facing reprisals and other forms of attach from some Heads of Institutions as they see the Ombudsman as an intruder into their administration. He requested the Committee to assist the Office in amending its enabling legislation (Ombudsman Act, 1997) to have coercive powers to enforce its recommendations. He stated that the subvention given to the Office is minimal and cannot enable the office to go to reach ordinary citizens at district levels, as the Office currently operates at the regional levels. He thanked the Committee for the visit and promised to have further engagements with them.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926